Several years after settling
down in the story “Enough,” Gabrielle decides revisiting her early journeys
with Xena might provide more accurate directions for a new generation of
heroes.

BEHIND SIGHT

By IseQween

June 2011

IseQween@aol.com

Part 1

Xena took the last nail from between her teeth.She spaced it precisely as she had the
others already in position, flipped the hammer, caught it, raised it high and
brought it down with sufficient force to finish the job in a single blow.

“Ahhhh.Now that’s what
I call a thing of beauty.”She sat back
on her haunches.“Whaddya think?” she
asked one of the few creatures lofty enough to appreciate her work.The bird cooed and flapped its wings.“Uh huh.Got that right.”

Approval granted, the bird flew off.Xena’s eyes followed its path. “Whoa, almost noon,” she observed,
suddenly aware of the sun’s position.Perfect day, plenty of time left to enjoy it.She surveyed an equally perfect setting.Colorful village structures.Scenery vibrant with nature’s bounty.Girls sparring on practice fields.Yes, it was good sometimes to rise above it
all.Take everything in.Remind herself why a hammer could feel just
as good as a sword.

The door to the library swung open.Gabrielle emerged, as usual surrounded by adoring Xena
Scouts.They chatted awhile before the
girls went one way and their mentor another, head down in contemplation.

“Gabrielle …Gabri-el-lle …Gabrielle?Gabri-elle!”

Green eyes finally noticed the figure perched atop the meeting
hall.Gabrielle waved absently and
resumed her course toward their home.Xena cocked her head.They were
supposed to meet in the hall for lunch.Either her partner’s legendary appetite had suddenly waned, or something
was up.

`````

“Xena?What are you
doing here?”

“I was gonna ask you the same.”

“Oh?”Gabrielle noted
her partner’s raised brow.“Oh.We had a date, didn’t we?”She glanced sheepishly at the pile of
scrolls at her feet beside their rocking chair.“Sorry.Got distracted.”

“So I noticed.”Xena leaned against the desk.“Not like you to forget to eat.Or fuss.”

“Fuss?”

“You don’t remember waving at me?Before you came in?”

Gabrielle frowned.“Um,
sure.You were up on that ….”Her eyes widened.“Roof?!Xena!Didn’t I tell you to let the carpenters do
that?”

“Uh huh.”Xena pulled
the hammer from her work smock and blew on it.“Another of my many skills.”

“Alone, no doubt.”

Xena lifted her hands.“You were busy.”

“I see.I’ve only myself
to blame.”

“Now, now.You have your
skills.Not exactly your cup of tea
anyway.”

“I mentioned the loose boards up there.Tricky footing.That someone could slip, fall and break her neck.”Gabrielle rolled her tongue in her
cheek.“Just your cup of tea.”

“Which I drank with no problem.”The warrior examined her fingernails.“To any of my body parts.I’d show you the fruits of my labor ….”She snickered.“If you were up
to the added … fuss.”She waited for
the usual glare reaffirming her legendary insufferableness.Instead, Gabrielle once again seemed lost
somewhere else.“Gabrielle?”Xena crouched in front of the rocking chair.“Everything okay?”

Gabrielle fiddled with one of the scrolls in her lap.“Funny, this is just the sort of thing I was
thinking about.”

Xena tapped her partner’s knee.“Hey, you know me.Hard
headed.Addicted to danger.If I went too far –.”

“I meant, connected to you, but really more about me.Challenges I’m having with some of the more
advanced Scouts.”

“Yeah?”Xena got comfortable
on the floor.“Wanna tell me about it?”

“It’s kind of ….Not
sure I can explain.”

“You saying there’s something too complicated for that bard
brain?No words to capture it?Wow.I suppose even the best go dry at some point.”Xena chewed her lip.“Maybe let Marta help you?She’s
gotten pretty good at explaining things.”

“Precisely.”Gabrielle
huffed before relaxing against the back of her chair.“Theory isn’t enough for some of the girls.Or more practice.They feel ready to test themselves.In ‘real’ situations.Opponents beyond straw dummies or each other.Even you or me.”

“What do they want you to do?Import warlords for `em to beat up on?”

“Mm.That’s where you
come in.”

“Me?What?Revert to my old ways?Form a group of troublemakers?Teach them dirty tricks?”Despite her sarcasm, Xena found herself
intrigued by this line of thought.“I
have gone pretty light on them.Suppose
it wouldn’t hurt if I –.”

“That’s not what I meant.Maybe the ‘revert’ part.In a
different way.”

Xena stared at her partner.“I’m not getting your drift.”

Gabrielle picked up a scroll.“They’ve read practically everything I’ve written about you.But it’s just that – a story.They didn’t witness it.Experience it.Sure, they’ve progressed physically.Some quite skilled with weapons.Martial arts.I don’t think they
understand the mental aspects.The
heart.The mistakes.How you used all that to transform from a
village girl into a great warrior.”

“Isn’t that in the scrolls?In your lessons?About courage
and honor and all that stuff?”

Gabrielle sighed.“I
thought so.It’s what I hoped to
capture.Beyond your prowess, I mean.”

“Okay, then focus more on what’s missing.Connect the dots for `em.”Xena smiled encouragingly.“Worked for me.”

“See, that’s the problem.I’m not sure I can anymore.”

“Come on, Gabrielle.You
taught me things about myself I wouldn’t’ve known otherwise.Things that showed me the difference between
aiming at being a warrior for good and actually hitting the mark.”

Gabrielle leaned forward.“It was fresh then.I was
witnessing it.Experiencing it.Living it.Seeing it through different eyes.When I try to go back now ….Honestly?”She snorted
softly.“I’m stuck on the character in
my stories.How you got there ….The trials?Doubts?Minute by minute adjustments?”She sighed.“Lost in years of talking about the Warrior Princess like she poofed
into a hero.Mixed in with who you are
now.”She grinned wryly.“A settled pillar of village life.Who baby sits, gardens – .”

“Traded her sword in for a hammer?”

“Mm.Who’s comfortable
at least pretending so.”

Xena rolled her tongue in her cheek.“That ‘reverting’ thing?It’s startin’ to grow on me.Could be worth a shot.”

“Yeah?”Xena had the
distinct impression Gabrielle was, as usual, one step ahead.About to take a latent bad girl in a
direction more suitable for good ones.“Does my dark side get to come out and play or not?”

Gabrielle relaxed back with an enigmatic smile.“Oh, she’ll get to do a lot more than that.”

`````

Xena hummed while she packed.They were going out on the road.She hadn’t realized how much she missed that until Gabrielle’s
suggestion.True, it wouldn’t be ideal,
but she figured she could get around the … challenges.Those three Scouts they’d be lugging along
for “real world” adventure.Up close
and personal revisiting of Xena’s journey from novice to professional.Herself and Gabrielle reprising their
interactions, their behaviors when encountering trouble and troublemakers.No doubt involving a bunch of chats and
homework as well.Xena intended to stay
true to her early self –solitary, taciturn and as conversational as the fish
she expected to spend more time with than Gabrielle’s students.

“You’re in a good mood.I must say, I’m a little surprised.”

“Tsk tsk tsk.Why
wouldn’t I be supportive?Besides,
it’ll be good getting away for awhile.”

“Mmhm.”Gabrielle
searched through a pile of clothes she’d dumped on the bed.“Well, I certainly appreciate it.I was all set for a few days of
pouting.You truly have matured.”

“You can say that again.”Xena carefully folded the re-sized replica of her signature
battledress.“Judging by my extra
poundage.”She glanced over at Gabrielle.“What about you?Any trouble fitting into that old peasant skirt?”

“Peasant skirt?”Gabrielle gaped at her partner.“It’s long gone.Why would I
need that?”

“We’re not talking about me, silly.”Gabrielle finally selected a couple of long dresses and pairs of
breeches.“I’m taking my Amazon
leathers.In case we run into
trouble.That should suffice.”

“Hmm.Someone doesn’t
seem to be getting into the spirit of this.I must say, I’m a little surprised.”

“Xena, what are you talking about?”

“As I recall, two people shared my journey.How is that accurate?If only one of `em dresses the part?”

Gabrielle rolled her eyes.“Your commitment is touching.Misplaced in this instance.I’m
writing this lesson plan for the girls.You worry about your part.I’ll
take care of the rest.”

“Okey dokey.”Xena
waited until Gabrielle resumed packing before allowing a smirk.“You talk.I’ll listen.Run around kicking
butt.Just like old times.”

`````

The chosen waited near the library entrance.They’d arrived at the crack of dawn.Sooner than Gabrielle had said to meet.“On time” for the less patient mentor who
might not mind an excuse to leave them in her dust.Celestine sat on a step, hugging herself, barely able to contain
her excitement.Isis leaned against the
door wryly observing the pacing Lysia.

“I still can’t believe it.Can you?I mean, of all the
girls …. To think Gabrielle would pick us for such a great honor.”

“Pfft.Why not?”Lysia whipped an arrow from the quiver at
her back, notched it in her bow and let it fly at a target propped against a
crate across from them.Even the still
dim light didn’t hamper anyone’s vision of a shaft sticking out from the bull’s
eye.“Maybe you two have doubts.Not me.”

Isis cleared her throat.“I do have doubts.About your …
reasoning.I’m sure Gabrielle
considered more than fighting skills.”

“Yeah?Like what?”Lysia snickered.“Talking about `em?Telling stories?About how good
you’d be?If you ever had to
prove it?”

“Gabrielle says it takes a lot to be a good warrior.”Celestine cut her eyes at Lysia.“Which you’d know.If you ever paid attention.”

“Humph.If I didn’t, I
wouldn’t have these badges.Especially
this one.”Lysia pointed to the little
gold chakram sewn onto the top of the purple sash each girl wore.

“Exactly.That signifies
leadership.Mastery of many
qualities.We’re not the only ones who
earned it, you know.We are the
oldest.Looked up to by a lot of our
sisters.”Isis gazed into the
distance.“I want to be like
Gabrielle.A Scout Leader.Teach what I’ve learned.This trip will be perfect for that.”

“Uh huh.Except I wanna
be a warrior like Gabrielle.You know,
more to defend.When I have to.Try to solve things peacefully, with my
wits, if I can.”

“Yeah, yeah, Gabrielle’s cool.Nobody better with a staff.Not
too shabby at hand-to-hand either.But
the chance to shadow Xena?Be in on the
action?Get good enough for the
militia?”Lysia smacked her fist into
her palm.“I’d tolerate 50 chat
sessions for that.”

The three argued amiably
about the merits of their field trip.They failed to notice Gabrielle approaching.She paused, smiling.She’d watched these protégés mature from children to their late
teens.All had ended up in the village
because they had no one to take care of them.Families adopted them and entrusted much of their development to the
program Gabrielle developed in Xena’s honor after the warrior’s death in Japa.They grew to share independent natures,
willingness to serve the village and respect its principles.To strive towards the high standards set by
their mentors.Otherwise their
personalities were distinctly their own.

“I say it’s a test.Are
we good enough to do what we want to make of ourselves.”

Gabrielle chuckled.In
her own blunt way, Lysia was partly right.But this would also be a test for her and Xena.If anyone could push them to reconnect with
their early days – the roots of who they’d become – it was these three.Yes, they would probably uncover clay feet,
experience disappointment, voice contrary opinions in the process.Leading their mentors to do the same.Hopefully giving new life to her words
about a legend they had all come to take for granted – possibly as mundane now
as a hammer and nails.

“Gabrielle!We didn’t
see you!”

“Good morning.”Gabrielle walked up to give each girl a hug.“You’re early.I have a
few more things to do.I suggest you
enjoy yourselves while I’m gone.”She
grinned.“Don’t worry.You’ll see more than enough of me in due
time.”

`````

Xena had some acquaintance with her partner’s warrior
wannabes.She recalled them as fairly
competent during various drills.Lysia
in particular.Naturally gifted.Fearless.Prone to recklessness and impatience, a hard head.Xena pegged her as an ally.Celestine tended to focus on the irrelevant
– keeping her outfit clean, what girls next to her might be doing, the proper
name for some move.Isis?Serious, a hard worker.Could make mountains of molehills.Both more likely to side with
Gabrielle.Best to get a sense of the
odds.See how they did on their first
exam.

“Ready to head out?”Gabrielle stood with the girls, waiting for Xena to come from the
stables.She frowned as her partner rode
up.“Where’s my horse?”

Everyone gaped at Celestine.Except Xena.She regarded the
girl with new appreciation.

“What’re you talking about?If Xena’s riding, so should the rest of us.How else we gonna keep up with `er?Do what she does?”

The others looked at Lysia, a bit surprised her observation
seemed so reasonable.Xena rolled her
tongue in her cheek.Practicality had
its place.Obviously Lysia needed work
on her timing.

“Maybe an extra horse?Just in case?”Isis
shrugged.“Might give us more
options.You know, depending on the
situation?”

“Gabrielle?”Celestine
assumed the formal tone when seeking wisdom from the Scout Leader.“What do you think?”

Gabrielle studied her partner, belatedly suspicious of the
warrior’s rather quick acquiescence to this grand plan.Fearing that, as usual, Xena was one step
ahead.Realizing she’d given way too
little thought to details and that the biggest devil might well be the point of
it all, sitting oh-so innocently above the fray.

Xena saluted.“As you
wish.”She trotted off and returned
with an oldish stallion they sometimes borrowed for their wagon team.

“Xena, that’s – .”

“Hades.Good all around
fella.Figured he’d be just the trick.”

“Now we’re talkin’.”Lysia started toward the animal, confident she alone matched the woman
destined to ride, more than the one who traditionally followed on foot.She hesitated when Xena dismounted and began
collecting their carry bags.“Um,
Xena?You’re not gonna ….”

“Use him for a pack horse?”Xena loaded their gear on Hades.“Remember, with Argo, it was just Gabrielle and me.There’re five of us.This kinda balances it out.That’s fair, dontcha think?”She smiled benignly, seeking confirmation.

Lysia scowled.Celestine
and Isis nodded.Gabrielle studied with
what she hoped was a neutral expression the horse she apparently couldn’t ride
as she’d planned.She reminded herself
why she’d saved and resurrected the Warrior Princess so many times.How much better it was to have her soulmate
alive.And that breaking her neck in
front of these girls wouldn’t exactly teach them the desired lesson.She summoned a smile.

“Bravo.Both practical
and in the spirit of our trip.You see,
girls, what I’ve been saying?About
different perspectives?Complementary
gifts?We’ve had our first test and
passed.I believe we’re ready to
begin.”

And so the group set out.The Warrior Princess in front on horseback, the others trailing behind –
reminiscent of a certain young woman from Poteidaia with dreams, spunk and not
a clue where she was going.

Part 2

The five prepared their campsite at the end of an uneventful
first day.They’d eaten travel rations
and were laying out their bedrolls when Lysia decided she’d like a clearer
understanding of their course.

“Yeah.”Lysia sat
cross-legged on her bedroll.She cocked
her head at Xena, who had returned from tending the horses.“You scope out where there’ll be
trouble?Any idea when we’ll run into
it?”

Xena nodded her thanks to Gabrielle and dropped down on her
bedroll.“Nope.”She rolled her tongue in her cheek.“Don’t have to.Trouble usually found us.”

“Whoopee.S’pose this’s
the part where we practice twiddling our thumbs?”

“Noooo.”Celestine
giggled.“I believe this is the part
where Xena sharpens her weapons, while Gabrielle ponders the meaning behind …
twiddling thumbs.”

Gabrielle rubbed her nose.This would be a test all right.She could tell from the three pairs of eyes she could see and imagined
in the pair she studiously avoided.“In
a way you’re both right.”She
chuckled.“Our early days were often a
balance of thumb twiddling and me talking to myself.”

“Not entirely.”

Four pairs of eyes widened in surprise.And anticipation.

“Not entirely?”

“You make it sound like the conversation was totally one
way.”

“I was referring more to what Celestine said.The pondering of deep issues, while you –.”

Gabrielle pursed her lips.“As I recall, you soon thereafter pontificated about strongest trees
standing alone.Proceeded to dump me on
a moment’s notice.”

“I said I’d come back for you.I did.”

Gabrielle gazed thoughtfully at her partner.“Yes, you did.”

“Even that first day.When we set out together?You’d
met Draco.About as close to my
definition of ‘affection’ as anybody came.He tried to win me back by destroying my home village.‘Be with’ me in a duel.You said friends stuck with each other
through thick and thin.I accepted your
version.”

Gabrielle nodded.“I
never really ….I liked you right
off.It was easy ….I mean, sharing.Expecting things to work out.Of course I was happy you let me stay.Showed more patience than I felt I deserved.”She regarded Xena with new appreciation.“Guess I took what you say as … normal …
between friends.Figured it just came –
. ”

“Naturally?”Xena
tousled Gabrielle’s hair.“You
would.”She raised a brow at their
silent audience.“Okay, you’ve had your
‘pondering’ for the night.I suggest
you turn in.”She snickered.“I’ll try not to keep you awake with the
other part.”She held up her sword and
pumice stone.“Sharpening my weapons?”

`````

The next day Xena donned her battledress and the girls put on
their Amazon sparring leathers.Gabrielle wore a skirt, though less cumbersome – or “peasanty” – than
when she’d initially started her travels with Xena. Once on the road Gabrielle
revealed they were heading toward her childhood village – not at her
choice.She’d assumed where Xena grew
up would be more appropriate, given the purpose of this particular journey.Lysia, of course, agreed.Celestine saw merit in Xena’s position the
“true” story began where she’d decided to continue being the Warrior Princess
in order to save a spunky peasant girl.

“Technically, Xena, the ‘new’ Warrior Princess took form with
Hercules.She was shaped by experiences
all over the known world.Amphipolis
gave birth to her, regardless of everything else.”

“So?You said this trip
was about spiritual origins, not just physical.Amphipolis might not’ve met the ‘new’ me, except for us bumping
into each other outside Poteidaia.”

“What about the main peasant girl?Where she played and got the notion to defend against
bullies.That’s an important part of
the story too.”

“Aren’t you forgetting something?”

“Such as?”

“No bard.No bard, no
story.It begins with her.Outside Poteidaia.”

“Your logic astounds me.As usual.Though I do appreciate
the sentiment.”

“I win?”

“Even ‘early’ Gabrielle would’ve run out of energy for another
round of this.”

The girls raptly listened to this debate like flies on a wall,
the principals seemingly oblivious to them.A relatively quiet hour or so later, the party paused at the outskirts
of a modest village.Gabrielle
suggested they stop to refresh themselves and sample whatever might be of
interest.Lysia rolled her eyes.The others surveyed the handful of market
stalls and clumps of people.

“Hmm.Might not be as
peaceful as it seems,” Celestine remarked softly.

Lysia brightened.“Hey,
you could be right.”

Gabrielle smiled wryly.“Potential trouble?”

Celestine pointed her chin at a man and woman engaged in a
heated exchange near the drinking well.“Wonder what they’re arguing about?”

“Pfft.Not them.”Lysia indicated a handful of armed men
surrounding one of the vendors.“Now
that could be worth checking out.”

Gabrielle chuckled.“Boy, does this bring back memories.My idea of ‘trouble’ was pretty expansive way back when.Silly and shallow, compared to thwarting
evil warlords.”She bumped shoulders
with her partner.“Xena kindly indulged
me.”

“Not necessarily.”Xena
crossed her arms, soaking in the intrigued responses she was beginning to
rather like.“Pain is pain.Not so little to the person experiencing
it.”She smirked at Gabrielle.“I learned that by ‘indulging’ a certain
someone intent on fixing the world.”

“Yeah, well what about pain from a sword?That’s all I wanna fix.I say those guys over there take priority.”

Gabrielle studied both choices.“Actually, I believe I’m with Lysia on this.”She got behind Xena and pantomimed duking it out with someone, as
she used to do when she watched her partner from the sidelines.“You always did underestimate my desire for
action.”Smirking, she nudged Lysia in
the direction of the potentially endangered vendor.

Lips pursed, Xena watched the two stroll away.She noted Isis stood frozen, not sure which
way to go.“Why don’t you stay with the
horses?”

Isis frowned, until she realized she’d have a good view of both
scenarios.She grinned.“Sure, that’ll work.”

As Xena and Celestine headed toward the arguing couple, Isis
found her attention wandering over to where her other friends hovered within
striking distance of the potentially threatening warrior types.Though Lysia leaned forward, primed to jump
in, Gabrielle discreetly held the girl’s arm.

Not sensing imminent action, Isis shifted her gaze to the
drinking well, surprised to discover Xena now a party to the couple’s
discussion – mostly listening.A few
moments passed before the warrior nodded to the woman, shook the man’s hand,
and beckoned to Celestine that they should leave.When they did, the couple resumed their argument.Isis turned to see Gabrielle and Lysia also
on their way back.

“Well?”

“False alarm.”

“No problems?”

Lysia snorted.“All of
`em wanted the same knife.Vendor had
them draw straws.If they fight, it’ll
be with each other.”

“Xena?”Isis
chuckled.“You end up their marriage
counselor?Seems they may need more
work.”

“He wanted to buy her a new spinning wheel.She said they couldn’t afford it.”

“Figures.So much for
our first stabs at trouble.”Lysia
disdainfully surveyed the material they had to work with.“What now?Sit awhile drinking cider?Twiddling our thumbs?”

“Noooo.We could
eliminate one of his bills.”Celestine
smiled smugly at Lysia.“The one he
owes the town bully?”

`````

Gabrielle, Isis and Celestine huddled together over their plates
at the inn, discussing what the current situation might lead to.Xena and Lysia sat facing the door.The latter scrutinized every rough man who
entered, pretty clear about what she envisioned happening.The former lounged with her legs stretched
out, seemingly more interested in cobwebs on the ceiling.

“So we’re gonna just sit here?Waiting until he shows?”

“Uh huh.Xena can
be quite creative.”Gabrielle followed
her partner’s upward gaze.“Might not
look like it, but she’s no doubt strategizing even now.”

Like the others, Lysia glanced above.She snorted.“What?Praying gods’ll come to the rescue?Since when did she count on them?”

“She didn’t.She took
things as they came.Scoped out the
best course of action.Depended on her
wits and what she had to work with, before busting heads.”

“Not according to your stories.”

“What’re you talking about?”Isis propped her arms on the table.“Even in the beginning.Remember
when she fought Draco?That was to keep
other heads from getting busted.”

“Sure, after she’d already whomped his men outside Poteidaia.”

“The main thing is, she avoided killing.”Celestine gave Gabrielle an admiring
glance.“Probably because a certain
presence changed her.”

“Or because a certain bard saw it that way.”Xena maintained her relaxed posture but
focused on Gabrielle.“She tended to
see through rose-colored eyes in the beginning.”

“I killed a warlord in front of his son.Killed a highwayman before Morpheus’ priests
snatched you. Killed Nemos when we
fought over that orphaned infant.Killed Mezentius for causing Marcus’ death.Killed King Xerxes after – .”

“All right, all ready.Still, you did it because – .”

“I wanted them dead.Not
saying I liked it.”Xena shrugged.“Best, fastest way I knew for disposing
garbage.”She snorted. “Didn’t have
much experience with recycling then. That was your department.Took awhile to get the hang of it.”

“Ha!”Lysia slapped the
table.“So much for your ‘sweetness and
light’ Xena.If we’re gonna learn from
what really happened, we gotta stick to all of it.”She snickered.“Like
Xena’s version of ‘recycling” – bodies turnin’ into fertilizer.”

The sun had barely risen when a line of villagers began forming
in front of a canopy erected at the far end of the courtyard.Underneath were a few chairs, a desk and
several large bins.A couple of the
warriors from the day before stood outside throwing their newly purchased
knives at a target in the dirt.They
quickly straightened at the sound of a bell and assumed positions on either
side of the canopy.A wagon soon
entered, accompanied by a large man on horseback and more guards.

The wagon driver pulled around to the back of the canopy,
stepped down, walked to the desk and lay on it items from a sack he carried –
bound sheets of papyrus, ink wells, quills, a scale, measuring stick.Upon arranging everything to his
satisfaction, he sat and nodded to the man on horseback.The rider sat tall in the saddle, his
considerable frame made even more imposing by a military-style outfit replete
with elaborate chain mail and flowing satiny cape, slit to reveal swords at
both sides of his waist.

The rider surveyed the villagers, some of whom carried pouches,
others sacks and baskets. “All right,” the man boomed.“You know the drill.Those with precious metals, check in with
Mitteoles.Those with goods, deposit
them in the bins.Make sure your name’s
on what you bring.Otherwise you won’t
get credit.”

“Okay, we’ve seen enough.Now what?”

“Define ‘enough.’”

Lysia scowled at the others lounging with her on the porch of
the inn.She drummed her fingers on her
thigh.Xena was turning out to be much
like Gabrielle when it came to studying too much.“The bully. Sentorius.We’ve got `im
in our sights.I count maybe a dozen of
his goons.Between us, we oughtta be
able to take `em.”

“Mm.Puzzle’s complete,
far as you see?Nothing missing to trip
us up?”

Before Lysia could respond to Gabrielle, a slight, well-dressed
older man appeared beside them.

“You new in town?”

Gabrielle gave him a polite smile.“Just passing through.Seems we’ve lucked up on a fascinating custom.Some type of communal yard sale?”

“You used the road in, right?The water?Maybe had a
meal?You’re relaxing in front of this
establishment, enjoying the sights.”The man shrugged.“Gotta
consider the cost to provide that.Maintain it.Protect it.Not fair the locals bear the full burden of
extra wear and tear.”

“Yeah?Well, it could
get them killed.Some innocent people
as well.”The man started backing
away.“I’d heed my warning, if I were
you.”

Xena was up with her arm around his shoulders before he could
leave. “I’d heed hers, if I were you.”She cut her eyes at Lysia.“Big
mouth and all.”She pressed her fingers
to the man’s neck.“Me, I don’t talk so
much.But I think you get my drift.”

“W-what do you want?”

“Smile like we’re old buddies.” Xena glanced casually at the big man on horseback, who stared at
them curiously.She winked and
pantomimed raising a cup to her mouth.The big man smirked.“Now walk
with me inside.”She tightened the arm
around his shoulders.“Twitch funny,
and it’ll be your last.Understand?”

The man nodded, as did the women who trailed behind – in truth,
everyone but Gabrielle wondering if the tall woman had lost her mind.

Part 3

The party had no trouble finding a table in the nearly empty
dining room.Celestine and Isis sat
next to Gabrielle, staring across at the mystery man wedged between Xena and
Lysia.A server came over to take their
order.

“We’ll have cider,” Xena said.

“The usual for you?” the server asked the man.

“Make it a double.”

Lysia rocked back and forth as the server walked away.She glowered at those across from her,
hoping one of them would summon enough nerve to inquire what in Tartarus the
supposedly brilliant Warrior Princess had in mind.Instead, they followed Xena’s example of sipping their drinks and
… waiting.

“Okay.I’m missin’ the
point here.”Lysia peered around the
mystery man as if he weren’t there.“We’re leaving Sentorius to rob those folks pretty as he pleases.We take somebody in his place.Who is this guy anyway?He wasn’t even part of it.A snitch maybe.Bet he’d’ve run right over to squeal on us.”

“Hmm, you’re right.He
had no role, far as I could tell.”Isis
narrowed her eyes at the man.“Not in
that line either.Just popped up out of
nowhere.”

“Yeah, that server’s familiar with him.He knew the rules.”Celestine studied the man.“If he’s from around here, he should’ve been
more worried about his taxes, than us.”

“Ya gotta be kidding.”Lysia contemplated the profile of the man sitting silently next to
her.“Him?”Mouth open, she checked Xena’s and Gabrielle’s faces.“You saying he’s one of `em?”She growled.“We’ve had him all this time?Drinkin’ with `im?Waiting with
him `til his merry band’s done?”

Their assignments for the day completed, the gang began filing
into the dining hall.Though in high spirits,
they gathered at the bar and tables with relatively little disturbance.The big man who followed them stood
imperiously in the doorway surveying the room before honing in on the strangers
who’d managed to avoid the tax line.He
strode over and crossed his arms.

“I see you lovely ladies decided to keep my man.”

“Our apologies for taking him away from his duties.”Xena gave the man’s shoulder an affectionate
squeeze.“Been a long time since we’ve
seen each other.”

The other man grimaced.“Far from it.”Her chakram had
convinced him, along with the knife point pressed against his side.“Xena, I’d like to introduce you to … my
boss.”He held the big man’s eyes.“Lord Sentorius.”

“Yeah?”The big narrowed
his eyes, not quite sure he was on the same scroll as everyone else.“Doin’ what?”

“We didn’t get that far.Except for your role.”Xena
chuckled at his expression.She
inclined her head deferentially.“You’ll still be Lord Sentorius.”

The big man relaxed.“Took awhile, but I’m okay with it now.”He smirked.“Ladies
really go for the cape.Their men don’t
like it, I got these fancy swords.”

“I hear ya.Bed lust and
blood lust.Best of both worlds.”

The man snickered.“You’re Xena, all right.Least
ways, from what I heard.”He shook his
head.“Never can tell what
Theocrates’ll come up with next.”He
noted the other man’s pained sigh.“S’okay.Works for me.Could mean more time off.”Grinning, he bowed his head.“Lord Xena.”He gave Theocrates a thumb up.“I’ll be over with the boys, if you need me.”

Theocrates watched Sentorius saunter away.The big man had his merits.Could flatten a bull with one punch.Too bad he couldn’t catch a clue fluttering
right in front of his nose.

`````

Given that Xena had already guess as much, Theocrates admitted
he was the brains behind the tax business.He’d grown up the brunt of bullies himself, partly because of his
undersized frame, partly because he preferred intellectual pursuits over
physical.Eventually he’d found a
kindred spirit in Mitteoles, who had just lost his job clerking with a
successful merchant.The two would
amuse themselves deriding others who squandered their riches or talents, conjecturing
how much better they could do in any of those idiot’s shoes, if only they had
more impressive boots.

They found those boots on Sentorius, a brawny wannabe
warlord.Theocrates proposed a
partnership to exploit the weaknesses he’d perceived all around him.Starting with the home village that had
treated him like an insignificant toad.He focused on developing Sentorius into a suitable front man, as he
personally preferred being in the background. Observing his victims.Knowing they were mere puppets in his
plan.Sitting unobtrusively among them
listening to their fears.Hearing how
they hoped to cheat him, their dismay at somehow being discovered.

“Well, Theo, my man, I got good news for you and bad,” Xena said
after being brought up to date.“Which
would you like first?”

Theocrates glanced forlornly at the big man too dumb to be of
any immediate help.He brightened when
he glimpsed Mitteoles finally enter, look around and head toward the
table.

“Hey.”Mitteoles studied
the women seated with his partner.“Wondered where you disappeared.What’s up?”

“A little fun.A little
business.Name’s Xena.”At Mitteoles’ expression, she confirmed,
“Yep, that Xena.”She gestured toward a
chair at the end of the table.“Theocrates was just telling us about you.”

“That so.”Mitteoles
remained standing.“Wouldn’t mind
hearing it myself.”He noted the sheen
on the other man’s face.“From him.”

“Mmm, that could be a problem.”Xena stretched the arm resting on Theocrates to tap Lysia’s shoulder.When the girl peered around, Xena nodded
slightly.“My young Amazons here prefer
action.Too much talking, they get
restless.”

Mitteoles stiffened.“Not my problem.”He glanced
over to the men lounging near Sentorius.“Although maybe my friends could help yours with their … itch.”

“Lysia?You up for
that?”

“Nah.”Lysia discreetly
positioned her bow against her side.Grinning, she notched an arrow pointed at Mitteoles.“I’m good where I am.”

“Huh.Never can tell
about young folks.Seems your
company’ll do.”Xena’s eyes pinned
Mitteoles where he was.“You can join
us.Start a new conversation.From that chair.Or be silent on the floor.”

Mitteoles shifted his gaze between the cold blue eyes, the
trigger-happy Amazon and a resignedly mute Theocrates.He glowered once more at the totally
oblivious Sentorius.“Fine,” he
concluded, moving toward the chair.“Can’t be any worse than listening to the dummies I have to work with.”

`````

“So.”Theocrates rolled
his tongue, finally able to use it to speak, having heard he might no longer
control all his words.He glanced
around the now filled room.Few seemed
to notice the strange collection of diners at his table, unaware their fates
depended on a man they dismissed as a joke and the ghost made flesh at his
side.“You would have us end our …
taxes.Abandon months of work.Resume pursuits of little worth in comparison.”

“Yup.Just walk away.”

“Or ….”Mitteoles
folded his hands on the table.“We
could stay.Our men as village
guards.Under our direction.For a reasonable fee, of course.”

“Negotiated with the villagers?”

Mitteoles nodded.“We
could assist them price their goods better.Devise a tax for improving common elements like the roads or festivals.”

“Except justice.”Isis
scowled at the two men.“What about all
they’ve taken from the town?They go
unpunished?”She gaped at her mentors
in disbelief.“Rewarded – trusted even
– with the money they used to steal?”

“Let’s say we turn the gang in.Somebody has to arrest them.Try
cramming them into whatever little room the town uses for the occasional
troublemaker.Or cart `em off to
somewhere else.”Xena cut her eyes at
her protégés.“We already have enough
luggage as it is.”She shrugged.“Might as well give Mitteoles’ proposal a
chance.Worse comes to worst, I could
always … revert … to another option.”She smirked at Gabrielle and patted her chakram.“Kill `em all.”

`````

Theocrates, Mitteoles, Sentorius, Xena, and Gabrielle sat inside
the gang’s covered wagon, while the girls stood guard.Sentorius had taken the change in direction
surprisingly well.Turned out he
preferred a more legal route to leadership, with a potentially steady income
that did not require constantly watching his back.

The real test would be the men.Whether they could be satisfied as stable, law-abiding town folk.“Those from today haven’t been paid
yet.Shall I fetch them then?”Sentorius looked to Xena for an answer.He might be slow at catching subtleties, but
knew real power when he saw it.At her
nod, he entered the inn, soon returning with his men trailing.They stood waiting with various degrees of
suspicion and impatience.

“Don’t see any money pouches,” one of the men finally
ventured.He leered at the women behind
Theocrates.“Not thinkin’ of settling
this with them, are ya?”

Xena restrained Lysia.“Why?”She sauntered in front
and crossed her arms.“You don’t find
us good enough?”

“Mm.I had a different
‘settling’ in mind.”Xena gestured to
Sentorius to hand her one of his swords.“Nice,” she said, inspecting it. “Almost like new.Doubt I’ll muss it up too much,” she added,
sneering at the man.

“What?You gonna fight
me with that?”

Xena pulled out her chakram.“I could use this.”She lightly
ran a finger along the edge.“Kinda
pointless though.”She waited a
beat.“No fun fighting a dead man.”

“Listen, you ….”The man
unsheathed his sword, slowly enough to give himself time to figure out why the
woman’s eyes made his go mouth dry.“Better put that toy away.Tell
Theocretes to cut the crap and pay up, before you get hurt.”

“Betros.Hold up.”Another man edged forward.“I’ve heard tales about a weapon like
that.Belonged to a legendary warrior
….”He studied the one in front of
him.“Woman.Tall.Dark hair.Blue eyes.Took on Ares himself.”His eyes
slid to Gabrielle.“Traveled with a
smaller blonde.Friendly with Amazons.”

“Pfft.Xena?The Warrior Princess?You got ale on the brain?She’s long gone.”Betros nodded as if to convince himself.“That thing’s a fake.So is she.I tell ya, it’s some kinda hoax to cheat us.”

“One way to find out, hmmm?”Xena extended the sword.“Knock
this from my hand.You could be doing
me a favor.Saving a crazy crone from
embarrassment.”

Betros gawked at the gang’s silent brain trust.“You all tired of the tax business?Movin’ on to some other con?With these … women?”

“This really is Xena.She gave us a choice.Stay with
the tax collecting and be put out of business.Or work out a protection deal with the town.”Sentorius drew himself up.“And keep our skin.”

“No!”Betros backed up
to join the other men.“We want our
money!We’ll decide what to do after
for ourselves.”

“Decide now.Stand with
me.Or fall with Betros.”

The men looked at each other.Half straggled over to Sentorius.The rest took out weapons and leveled them at the tall woman.

“Well?You gonna stand
there like sticks in the mud?”Xena
waggled the sword.“Or meet my
challenge?”

Betros spit on the ground.“I’ll handle this.Rest of ya’ll
owe me for shuttin’ `er up.”He lunged
forward, amazed to discover his sword sailing over his head and himself on the
ground.He stumbled to his feet and grabbed
another man’s sword, this time advancing with a flurry of powerful
strokes.The woman didn’t try to parry,
but simply blocked, moving more in circle than backwards.He paused, heartened he still had the sword
and that the woman wasn’t putting up much of a fight.“Had enough?”

Xena twirled her sword.“Have you?”

Betros resumed his attack with even more vigor until – red-faced
and drenched in sweat – he let his weary sword arm drop a little too low.It was the last mistake he would ever make.

Xena pushed Betros off her blade, expressionless as he crumpled
to the ground.She patted her barely
damp bangs.“Next?”

Those who’d stood with Betros didn’t seem inclined to fall with
him.A couple backed away and ran for
safety from a spanking by the she-demon old enough to be their mother.The others opted for obedience and saluted
her.

“So we’re agreed then?You’ll listen to the new plan?”

“With you in command?We’d be fools not to.”

“Oh, I won’t be in command.Sentorius will.”

“Sentorius?!But you
….You’re --.”

“Merely a hired sword.Somebody he used to get your attention.”Xena snorted.“So as not
to muss up that fine outfit of his.Gotta look presentable for business meetings, ya know.”She picked up Betros’ sword and handed it
to Sentorius with a slight bow.“They’re all yours.They give
you any trouble?”She crooked her head
toward Lysia.“We’ll sic ‘the little
firebrand’ on `em.”

Part 4

The young Amazons relaxed under a shade tree near the dry goods
store where the elder members of their party picked up supplies.Isis and Celestine sat cross-legged
comparing notes on what they had learned so far.Lysia paced, occasionally glowering impatiently at the
store.

“I swear.You two could
squeeze ‘lessons’ out of a turnip.”

“Why, thank you.”Isis
smiled wryly at her companion.“It’s
called ‘maturity.’Wouldn’t hurt you to
try it sometimes.”

“Oh, yeah?”Lysia
crossed her arms.“You think that makes
you better’n me?Being satisfied
looking for the good in mud holes?Pfft.Kids do that.Entertain themselves for hours.Don’t know when to quit.Miss
supper.Or a wolf sneaking up.”She smirked with a hint of challenge.“I say ‘maturity’ is keeping your head up.Being able to spot bad in sunny spots.Moving before it’s too late.”

“Well, yes, there’s that too. Both approaches can – .”

“Aw, come on.Who needs
more practice at your versions?”Lysia
began pacing again, muttering, “Mud holes.Plenty of those back home.And
thumb twiddling.Listening to pros and
cons.”

“But this has been real.Experiencing how Gabrielle’s lessons apply in actual situations.”Celestine shivered.“Life and death situations.”

“Heh.The highlight
being Xena’s ‘lesson.’The real point
of learning weaponry.Something we’ll
probably never see at the compound.”Lysia caressed her bow.“Or get
to do.Maybe on this trip ….”

“I’m suggesting we’re experiencing what they did.Lots of ‘mud holes.’Finding the good in them.On the lookout for ‘the bad in the sunny
spots.’Unusually motivated to do
something about it.”Isis checked to
see if Lysia was listening, not surprised to see her focused elsewhere.

“Yeah, yeah.While you
two were busy yammerin’. …”Lysia
pointed to a tavern near the village entrance.A handful of ruffians had pulled a merchant from his wagon, apparently
intent on picking it clean.Passersby
shouted at the men but made no move to stop them.“Come on.”

“Lysia, wait!”Celestine
jumped up to restrain the other girl.She looked longingly at the dry goods store.“Shouldn’t we get – .”

“No time.”Lysia pulled
out an arrow as she trotted toward the trouble.She didn’t bother confirming whether her friends had followed.

`````

Gabrielle smiled at the proprietor and put several coins on his
counter.She turned toward where her
partner stood sniffing the contents of various containers.“You almost done rifling through those
herbs?”

“Hey, to each her own.Never can tell when we’ll need ….”Xena stiffened, senses on alert.

“What is it?”

“Not sure.”Xena walked
to the door and looked out.“Crap.”

“Crap?”Gabrielle peered
around the warrior’s shoulder.“Oh,
crap.”She started to push through.

“Hold up.”

“Xena, we can’t let them – .”

“Get hurt?How else are
they gonna learn?”

“Learn what?”

“The stuff you wrote about.Being a hero.”Xena hugged her
agitated partner close.“They can’t
just experience it through me, you know.Isn’t that the point of this trip?”

They watched Isis take out two thugs with expertly executed
punches and kicks, while Celestine disabled a couple more with her staff.Xena noticed Lysia kneeling in front of a
man face down on the ground, seemingly unaware of another coming up
behind.The warrior reached for her
chakram, surprised to feel Gabrielle’s hand on her arm.A moment later, Celestine whacked Lysia’s
would-be attacker in the head.Soon
thereafter, the ruffians either lay immobile or fled to safety.

“Now we go?”

“Now we go.”Gabrielle
locked arms with Xena and the two strolled toward the crowd gathering to cheer
their heroes.Past the prone form with
an arrow in its back.

`````

The camp atmosphere that evening was one of tempered
excitement.Celestine added humor with
her narration of events in what she purported to be the “Gabrielle style” –
accompanied by her own brand of sound effects.Though credited as leader of the impromptu mission, Lysia remained
surprisingly quiet.

“Well, my young friends, I don’t know about you, but today has
certainly provided the highlight of this trip for me.”

“Ditto that.”Xena
noticed the glances between the three girls.“What?You figured it would be
skewering Betros?”

“She’s … um ….”Celestine chewed her lip.“I’m
not sure we should tell.”

“I can.”Isis shook her
head.“Ego.All this time spoiling for a ‘real’ fight. Putting us down for
being content to experience it second hand.She finally gets her way.Is
right to do so.I’d rather she rub it
in.Crow as usual.”

“Instead?”

“She’s ashamed.”Celestine sighed.“Because of
me.”

`````

“Hey.”

“Uh …hey.”

“Mind if I join you?”

“It’s a free forest.”Lip curled, Lysia flicked a bug off her arm.“I’m fair game anyway.”

Xena lowered herself across from Lysia.“He was your first.”

“W-what?”

“The guy you shot.”

Lysia stared at Xena a moment.“Um, yeah.Aimed for his
butt.Got ‘im higher than I meant.He must’ve tripped or something.Before the arrow hit.”She shrugged.“Wondered if I could do it.What it would be like. Now I
know.”She forced a grin.“Can’t predict live targets like those
practice dummies.”

“He’s not dead.”

Lysia blinked in confusion.“Not dead?But– .”

“You did get him pretty good.You try pulling the arrow out?”

Lysia nodded.“I thought
….”

“Good you didn’t.Would’ve been a real gusher.I
took care of it during all the hubbub.”

Lysia met the penetrating blue eyes, grateful for the absence of
condemnation.“Fine.I’m a fraud.Second to even mush ball Celestine.Pfft.She hit her guys
and kept going.Blood, broken bones,
didn’t matter.Ends up saving my
hide.”She blew out a disgusted
breath.“Me?Sittin’ there like a stone.Can’t get past the ….First and
only blood I spill.Puking when I
oughtta be helping my sisters.‘Grade
A’ warrior?Ask Celestine and
Lysia.They deserve that now more than
me.”

“Mm.”Xena stretched and
rose rather stiffly.“Right now I’m
more interested in warmth and my furs,” she said, extending her hand to
Lysia.

“Not sure I can face them.”

“Sure you can.Pretend
you’re a true warrior, even if you don’t believe it.I guarantee better results than seeing yourself as a rock.”

`````

It was clear those returning to camp had discussed similar
topics as the three who greeted them.Lysia stoically brushed off attempts to engage her as they prepared to
turn in.Once in their bedrolls and
about to wish each other good night, they heard softly spoken words that seemed
to come from a ghost.

“My brother Lyceus and I practiced for the day we would defend
our village against a warlord.When it
came, I fought well.No
hesitation.If I killed, I wasn’t
aware.Just swung and kept moving.Until my blade sliced open a man’s
belly.I knew that was the end of him,
which was fine by me.The blood and
guts ….I wasn’t quite prepared for
that.Not from a piece of garbage.I froze.Fascinated and sick at the same time.And then I heard my name screamed.Turned just in time to block a strike.A split second before Lyceus went down.His voice still in my ears.His
eyes still on mine.

“I killed a lot more that day.No number of bodies could make up for the one that mattered.Maybe I could’ve been more at peace if
Lyceus had fallen the way we imagined – him focused on the battle.Me focused on the battle.It haunted me a long time. The shame, the guilt,
my sense of betrayal. I know now it was futile blaming myself for being
human.For being struck by evidence of
the death I had taken for granted.Of
life I’d been so determined to take.

“I’ve accepted Lyceus died focused on what mattered most to him.That I was lucky to be so loved.That dishonor isn’t so much about failure,
as using it as excuse to stop caring, to stop fighting.To give up trying to do better every next
time until my last breath.”

`````

Dawn had not quite broken yet when Lysia’s ears picked up the
sound of furtive movement.She put her
hand on the small knife stuck in her waistband before opening her eyes to see
dim shapes – not interlopers, but the women who’d presented her the knife to
commemorate her passage from junior Scout to senior.They carried something over their shoulders as they disappeared
into the trees.Lysia snorted
softly.Good.Gave her a chance to take care of a few things herself.

“You got us moving.Took
out the first enemy.He had a sword,
headed straight for the merchant.”

“Uh huh.Left up to us,
we would’ve run to get Xena and Gabrielle.The merchant could’ve been killed in the meantime.You were right not to risk it.”

“Absolutely.We learned
we really do have it in us to be warriors.Not just talk about it or dream about it, like some of us tend to
do.”Isis exchanged a wry smile with
Celestine.“We have you to thank.You have to take our opinion into account
too, when you’re grading yourself.The
question is, can you face that.”

Lysia let out a long breath.“Yeah, I guess so.You’re saying
my hard head isn’t so bad.We got to do
a mission on our own.Which might
not’ve been, if we’d waited for Xena to jump in.”She raised her chin.“A
little late, but thanks for coverin’ my butt.Both of you.”

“Nuh uh.Can’t put all
the blame on her.The sensitive
chats?Xena’s little speech last
night?Talk about excuses.Humph. I’m seeing the so-called tough one
can ‘go Gabrielle’ on you her own way, all by herself.”

`````

Midmorning had arrived when the young Amazons finally heard
familiar voices.They prepared to
chastise their elders for being gone so long, but found themselves speechless
at the sight they beheld.

“Hi, girls.”Gabrielle
grinned bemusedly.“Surprised to see
us?”

“Yeah, what’s with the big eyeballs? You’d think this was the
first time we’d met.”

“You mean this?”Gabrielle adjusted the brown battle dress she wore before perching on a
log.“And this?” she asked, fingering
the chakram at her side.

“Or this?”Xena twirled
a staff.She smoothed the fabric on her
peasant skirt and joined Gabrielle.

“You changed clothes!I
mean, exchanged clothes!”

“We can all see that, Celestine.Question is, why?”

“Isn’t it obvious?”

“Maybe to you, Amazon Brain.To me, the joke’s on us.”

“I believe they mean to give us a different perspective.”Isis contemplated their mentors.“Walk in each other’s boots, so to speak.”

“Very perceptive.”Gabrielle bestowed a proud smile on the girls.“You’ve all grown, just as we’d hoped.We’ve decided to head back home.We think we can squeeze a wee bit more insight from our past
experiences.Lysia is also right.No reason we can’t have fun doing so.”

Part 5

“Are you sure about this?”

“As sure as you, when you plunge headlong into something.”

“I have some clue where it could lead.An idea of the traps.Ways around them.”

“Is this so different?I’m sure you’ll rise to the task as usual.”Gabrielle smirked.“You
can also count on my customary creativity.”

In truth, neither had anticipated role playing her partner.They’d snuck off for quality time alone,
ideally providing the same opportunity for their charges.Gabrielle happened to tease Xena about
turning bard, making Lysia feel better with the anecdote about Lyceus.Xena said the story was true, that she
simply hadn’t shared it before.Gabrielle commented they’d discovered quite a few things about
themselves and each other “through the eye of the beholder,” which Xena
sarcastically suggested they could enhance by posing as the “beholder” – an
idea they decided amusing enough to try awhile before setting out.

Celestine loved the prospect, even proposing the partners take
it another step – not only act like the “early” other, but remain “in
character” the whole day.Isis agreed
this would certainly add another dimension to what they’d so far gleaned from
the scrolls.Lysia said it would sure
beat listening to the two simply “gush” about each other.

“We’ll be part of it too!” Celestine had enthused.“You know, treat you like you’re the
other?We can rename you so it won’t be
confusing.Gabrielle, we’ll call you
‘GabXena.’Xena, you’ll be
‘XenaGab.’How’s that?”

And so the mentors found themselves snared in the web they’d
unwittingly spun.But not so restricted
they couldn’t make the best of this unique situation – a development the girls
walking behind did not fully appreciate.

“Got that right.‘Oooo,
I’d sure like to throw my line in that stream.’‘Is that salmon I smell?Eel?’The way Gabrielle’s
playing her, you’d think all Xena cared about was fish.”

“Okay, I admit, I didn’t picture Xena going on about practically
every flower we pass.I know Gabrielle
likes them, but she couldn’t’ve been that bad.”

“If so, they’d’ve never gotten anywhere.So much for ‘fun.’Told ya.More like the
joke’s on us.”

`````

The party had stopped to rest, its senior members chatting
congenially, the younger ones muttering among themselves.

“Um, GabXena?”

Gabrielle swiped the sharpening stone against Xena’s sword a few
more times.Without looking at
Celestine she said, “Yeah?”

“We … uh … need to talk to you.”

“About?”

“This … lesson.We’re
not sure it’s working out like – .”

“Not my department.Talk
to her.”

“B-but ….”Celestine
glanced at Xena, who was fashioning a necklace of daisies.She decided to stick with Gabrielle.“Just for this?” she pleaded.“Sort of like a time out?You know, you as yourself?”

“Celestine?”Xena
offered her most welcoming smile.“GabXena’s busy right now.”She
patted the ground beside her.“If it’s
talking, maybe I can help.”

Celestine looked longingly at Gabrielle before plopping next to
Xena.“We thought this would be
different.You know, what we’re doing
now.”

“You’re not happy with it?”

“Well, see, we usually don’t hear everything you’re saying.I mean, between the two of you.When you’re being … normal.”

“Are we talking too loud?We assumed you’d want to overhear.”

“Oh, we do.It’s just
….When we do hear you?It’s usually … different.”

“Oh? How
so?”

”Well, not just about fish or flowers.”

“Ah.She and I haven’t
known each other that long, remember?”Xena winked.“We really don’t
have much in common.Well, except we
both want to do good in the world.I
ask her a lot about being a warrior.About the big, wide world.So
much is new to me.Fascinating.Practically everything – people, places,
which things grow where.She’s already
been there, done that.”

“Huh.So it’s boring to
her?”

“Oh, no.Not at
all.It’s kind of like a rusty
sword.Um, or pot.You carry it around and forget how it used
to be.One day you rub it until it
shines.I think my questions, my
observations do that for her.Help her
appreciate what’s underneath the … grime … she’s become accustomed to.”

Gabrielle had begun using a rag on Xena’s sword, to better hear
the conversation next to her.“I don’t
always see the luster at first.I
consider the problem may be my eyes.The times I misjudge somebody?When she saw what I didn’t?I
tell her.I hope she knows how it
changed me, even if I don’t always say so.”

Celestine nodded.“See?That’s more like it.Could you maybe keep that up?”

Xena grinned sheepishly. “We’ll try to do better.But understand, the meaningful chats
happened when they happened.The right
mood or situation.Mostly, we passed
the time with what was easier.Predictable.Comfortable.Interesting to at least one of us.”She shrugged.“Often that was fish or flowers.”

`````

The young Amazons chuckled as “XenaGab” recounted some of the
resourceful methods she used to help an abandoned baby boy.“GabXena” evoked compassionate “awwwws”
acknowledging the layers of emotion she felt during that mission – some because
she’d saved the child by drawing upon rumors she was capable of killing one,
some connected to the infant son she’d secretly given up years before.

“Excellent work.The
conversations are 10 times better.”

Celestine beamed.“Thanks, Isis.Have to admit, I
thought it was a mistake sending me.Gabrielle didn’t buy my pitiful act.When she pushed me on Xena, I figured your logic had a better
chance.”

“No, they stuck to what we’d argued for – pretence no matter
what.It would’ve made my head
swim.You’re more open to …
fantasy.Going along with it actually
brought out what we wanted.”

“Pfft.Seemed you were
all nuts.Next thing, I’m caught up in
it same as you.Crap.Guess it’s true I gotta look at more ways to
skin a cat.”Lysia snickered.“Or rely on my … team … for that.”

“Lysia.”

“Yeah, Amazon Brain?”

“Could you maybe try both?”

“Sure.I’ll take my cues
from you.”

“Listening to reason more?”

Lysia grinned evilly.“Uh huh.When I see you prancin’
around all bubbly, like Amazon Airhead.”

The three argued good naturedly awhile until Celestine happened
to look ahead.“Huh.They’ve stopped.”

“We can give the play acting a rest?Thank the gods.Um, not
that I don’t treasure this stroll down Memory Lane.”

Gabrielle laughed.She
thumped Xena’s head.“Must be dizzying
inside there, trying to think like the young me.”

“Gotta warn ya, not sure how much longer I can.”Xena hazarded a glance back.“Think they’re on to a better topic than
us?”

“Let’s hope so.My
so-called lesson plan notwithstanding.”

The two walked awhile enjoying the silence between them.Until Xena’s ears perked up.

“Hear that?”

“What?Are the girls
closing in on us?”

“Around that bend.”Xena
pointed ahead and led the horses off the narrow road.“Could be a rider coming.Fast.”She started to get up on
Argo.“I’ll go see.”

“Why you?”

“Gabrielllle.Enough
with the role playing.It’s time – .”

“I don’t care about that.If you go, I go.Like
usual.Too much to unload off
Hades.”Gabrielle grabbed the warrior’s
arm.“Pull me up behind you.Or we wait to see what it is together.”

Xena gritted her teeth.They’d know soon enough anyway, but what better excuse would she get to
leave a now torturous charade in the dust?To make matters worse, the torturers had caught up, eagerly anticipating
what might happen next.Growling under
her breath, she removed her foot from the stirrup and faced the girls.

“Move to the side.”

“Trouble coming?” Lysia asked hopefully, doing as
instructed.

“Don’t know yet.”

A horse came charging by a short time later.Its rider pulled up and came back to the
travelers.

“Road’s not safe for you ladies right now.”The rider noted the older blond woman in
battle gear.“You a warrior?”

“You could say that.We’re Amazons,” Gabrielle said, indicating the others.“Maybe we can help.”

“I was escorting wagons to a new settlement.Got ambushed not far from here.Settlers are holding the bandits off pretty
good, but could use reinforcements.That’s where I’m headed.”

“Oooo.Trouble!We can fix anything!It’s your lucky day!”

The man stared at the tall, bouncing older brunette whose attire
seemed less suited to trouble than that of her companions.He gave her an indulgent smile before
addressing the blonde again.“Ma’am?Are you in?”

“Evidently.Wouldn’t
hurt if you brought back protection, just in case.In the meantime, we’ll do our best to handle the raiders.”

The man saluted and rode off.Gabrielle turned to see her partner’s smug grin replicated on the
younger faces.Once again she’d been
outmaneuvered in her own game.But, she
remembered, smiling sweetly, not necessarily defeated.

`````

The settlers had managed to steer their covered wagons onto a
grassy area and into a circle.It
appeared they’d held off the dozen or so raiders with pitchforks, shovels or
accurately thrown vegetables and utensils.The raiders sat making balls of cloth and dry grass, no doubt to toss
flaming from the small fire they’d started.

Those observing behind nearby bushes had come up with a plan of
their own.The first part dealt with
luring the marauders their way.The
second involved rules of engagement for the primary defenders.Gabrielle and Xena would continue portraying
early versions of each other, with minor modifications.The former could use her staff to simulate a
sword.If pressed, the latter could
employ fighting skills acquired by “later years” Gabrielle.The young Amazons were not to intervene
unless granted permission.

As Gabrielle started off, Xena came alongside.“No, get behind me, XenaGab. Stay here.I’ll tell you when the coast is clear.”

Xena growled but huffily did as ordered.She dropped to the ground, soon joined by
the girls.

No one did.They focused
on Gabrielle sauntering her way toward the bad guys.

“Hey there, fellas.Wanna party?With me?”

One of the men rose, holding the stick to a lighted
firebomb.“Maybe later.Gotta finish this one first.”He gasped when a metallic blur lopped the
top off his stick.“What the …?”

Gabrielle caught the returning chakram.“One of my special party tricks.Still not interested?”

“Wow!”Celestine clasped
her hands.“I didn’t know she could do
that!”

“First time was after I died in Japa.Last time, far as I know, until now.”

“Look, lady, you’re askin’ for a lot more trouble than you can
handle.”

“Name’s GabXena.A
warrior who’s handled bigger trouble than this.”

“Yeah?Like your
outfit?You shrink from all the years
on ya?”

“Even swimming in it I can move well enough to smack the
sass out of you.”Gabrielle
twirled her staff.“Wanna prove me
wrong, hmmm?”

Three men stalked toward Gabrielle, one of them yelling, “Time
to shut you up.Get on with the real
party.”

“Yiyiyiyiyiyiyi!”

Grinning ferally, Gabrielle parried and danced around.Eventually her staff dislodged swords,
swatted butts and cracked heads.Seeing
their buddies on the ground, three more came running.This time she thrust the end of her staff into each one’s belly
before knocking them out cold.She got
the last one, who’d come up behind her, with Xena’s no-look backward strike,
her face contorted in a ferocious sneer.

“She’s tried to describe it to me.Now that I see it ….”Xena grinned.“Cool.”

“That’s at least three kills,” Lysia observed.“If she had a sword.”

“Yup.Accurate if it was
XenaXena.Accurate that most would
really be alive if left up to Gabrielle.Whatever her role.”Xena got to
her feet.“Seems the rest want a piece
of her.”On cue, Gabrielle turned and
pointed to her soulmate.“Finally!My turn!”One attempted long stride later, she was ripping the sides of her skirt
and racing freely toward her partner.

“Okay, XenaGab, let’s see what ya got.”Gabrielle handed over the staff as they
passed each other.“Whistle if you need
me.”She jogged to where she’d spotted
the girls.

“Hey!Where ya
goin’?What’re we s’posed to do with this
one?”

“I’m here to offer a peaceful choice.Leave these people alone.Go back where you came from.No
more blood need be shed.”

The men hesitated, gawking.“What is this?A grandma
convention?”

“Mm, more a warrior convention.Except I don’t enjoy fighting, like my friend.”Xena twirled the staff.“But I’ll hurt you if I have to.”

“This’s nuts!Get that
crazy fool!”

“Heeyah!”Xena swung the
staff in wide loops above her head, then batted bodies into the air as if they
were children’s balls.

“Pfft.That looks more
like Xena than Gabrielle.”

“How so, Lysia?”

“Way she’s lighting into those baddies.Thought you favored restraint.”

“I do.Sparring isn’t
the same as ….Oops.Sorry.Forgot I was supposed to be –.”

“It’s okay.We amended
the rules. You can be yourself for now.Give commentary like we heard from …XenaXena.”

“I see.Thank you,
Isis.In that case I’ll point out that
XenaGab’s approach is accurately serious, methodical.And while I did avoid killing, I also wanted to ensure they
didn’t get up right away.”

“Ah.What about hopping
up on that boulder?It can’t be for
leverage.She’s two inches taller than
that guy.”

“Yes, she is.”Gabrielle pursed her lips.“No
doubt another nod to authenticity.”

“Authenticity?”

“A charitable interpretation of her veiled reference to my
smaller stature.I occasionally used
chairs or steps to overcome any height disad …challenges.”

“Hey!Is it over?The ones who can move are slinking off.”

“Gabrielle?Is that
authentic too?”

Gabrielle watched her soulmate survey her handiwork with a
self-satisfied smirk, casually brushing hair from her forehead as though
standing in the middle of a peaceful meadow, basking in the sun.“It is if we’re talking XenaXena.”

`````

“Welcome back, Scout Leader GabXena.”

“Hi, XenaXena. We missed you!”

It quickly became apparent to the couple strolling arm-in-arm
the morning after returning home that their younger traveling companions had
wasted no time sharing with their sisters highlights of the journey.The compound literally hummed with small
groups chatting, giggling or sparring along the path from the village’s most
esteemed residents’ home to a relaxation spot near the river.

“How long you figure they’ll keep this up?”

“With you?Maybe a day
or so.I’m who’s doomed.Facing class after class of ‘innocent’
inquisitions.Generations will pass
down ‘insights’ from my ill-conceived experiment.”

“Mm.That ‘together for
eternity’ thing has its drawbacks.Hopefully our reincarnations won’t be look-alikes.”Xena stroked her chin.“Now there’s a thought.Do that GabXena sneer.You know, when I skewer an enemy behind
me?According to witnesses, your
version oughtta scare away the overly curious.”

Gabrielle sucked in her cheeks.“I take it you gave that particular impersonation a good review?”

“Five stars.”Having
reached their destination, the warrior pulled a blanket from the bag slung over
her shoulder.“I think we’ll get some
privacy now.They wouldn’t dare bother
us here.”She checked to ensure no one
hovering too close.A gaggle of
approaching girls turned on their heels and scurried off.“See?”

“Heh.I’d attribute that
more to your … domestic … sneer.”Gabrielle laid out picnic items from a basket she carried.A few moments later she reclined across from
Xena, surveying the arrangements.“Amazing how fast we do this.Must be the eternity we’ve already had synchronizing our habits.”

The partners enjoyed their quiet moment, as well as favorite
foods they missed out on the road.They
smiled affectionately at three recent interruptions holding court on the
practice field, apparently re-enacting some of their own favorite moments –
from a different angle.Celestine
demonstrated Isis’ kicks and punches.Isis shot an imaginary arrow at a straw dummy, while Lysia attacked an
invisible opponent sneaking up on Isis.

“Nice how they learned to appreciate each other.”Gabrielle chuckled.“At least the spot-on mannerisms.”

“Speaking of which, what about your earlier review?”

“Hm?”

“My interpretation of your habits.That last … portrayal.”

“As XenaGab?During the
fight?”Gabrielle sampled their
grapes.“Reasonably authentic.Perhaps overplayed a bit during that scene
in the middle.And at the end.”

“Eh, an ad-libbed layer to my modest Gab characterization.”Xena shrugged.“Two purported has-beens had just wiped the grass with goons half
their age.I figured it deserved a
shout out from her XenaXena side.”

“I do have one quibble,” Xena acknowledged, stretching out on
her side.“That, ‘Get behind me’
thing.”

“Tsk tsk.Possibly my
best line.”Gabrielle rolled to her
back.“I so anticipated that moment,
soon as the escort guy deferred to me.Sure, he probably did it because of your leathers.In a way, that made it even more
fitting.Um, because of the role
playing, I mean.A great excuse to take
charge.”She ducked her head.“I knew you’d be champing at the bit.Sorry if I put you down in front of the
girls.”

Gabrielle repositioned herself to face Xena.“Yes and no.The words.Maybe the
tone.I don’t think I conveyed the
caring.”She chuckled.“Raised swords?Scrungy warriors racing towards us?My main defense back then my mouth?Xena, my only criticism would be that your warning wasn’t
necessary.I would’ve gotten behind you
on my own. No future otherwise.All my
optimism for naught.”

“Huh.And I might’ve
been stuck in my past. No view of a better future.”Xena rolled to her back.“Didn’t fully understand it then – all the reasons I needed you behind
me.”

“Yeah?”

“A life to protect.One
that reminded me every moment of everything worth protecting.Joy, faith, dreams.A concrete purpose for my own life.Forcing me to look for better options.For opportunities to make small differences
of value to someone else.”Xena turned
to smile at her partner.“Most of what
you like about me now?My heightened
sensitivity?Awareness of my power to
do good?You can thank that naïve
little peasant girl who tried to turn Titans into pussy cats.”

Xena laughed.She
scooted over snare her soulmate.“With
you now beside me?Out in front?Gotta leave some work for ya.”

“Humph.What about
you?Protecting my back?”

“I don’t?”

“These hare-brained ideas I get.You never were very good at nipping them in the bud.”

“Awwww.”Xena kissed the
top of Gabrielle’s head.“You’re
welcome.”

“Excuse me?”

“Your ‘we can fix anything or anyone’ attitude.Nudging folks out of their comfort
zones.Obliviousness to looking
hare-brained.Don’t those traits help
define who you are?The woman we love
and admire today?Hmmm?”

Gabrielle scowled at her soulmate.“I once thought trading your sword for a hammer would make you
less insufferable.”

“I have many skills.You
learned that from the start.”

“True.One of the
problems with hindsight.”Gabrielle patted
Xena’s arm. “Just when you see how you got somewhere?You end up tripping over something in front the whole time.
Right,” she concluded contentedly, nestling into the warrior, “where you put
her.”